Unemployment rates , not seasonally adjusted, declined in 16 Michigan labor market areas over the month, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
“Michigan regions demonstrated typical seasonal jobless rate reductions in August,” said Wayne Rourke, associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Employment levels continued to display positive growth trends over the year.”
Regional unemployment rates in the state ranged from 3.4 to 6.1 percent during August, with a median reduction of 0.5 percentage points. The largest over-the-month rate decrease occurred in the Lansing metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The Detroit metro area was the only region to exhibit no change in jobless rate over the month.
Unemployment rates receded in all 17 Michigan labor market areas over the year, with a median reduction of 1.1 percentage points.
In Berrien County, the unemployment rate was down half a percent, from 5.0 to 4.5 per cent. The labor force was essentially flat from July.
Regional employment mixed over month, up over year
Nine Michigan regions exhibited employment gains over the month, with a median increase of 0.3 percent. The Lansing MSA demonstrated the largest over-the-month employment gain (+1.1 percent). Four labor market areas displayed employment reductions over the month, led by the Northwest Lower Michigan region (-1.1 percent). The Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Midland, and Muskegon metro area employment totals remained unchanged since July.
All 17 Michigan labor market areas displayed employment advances over the year, with a median increase of 3.6 percent. The largest over-the-year employment gain occurred in the Flint MSA.
Regional workforce levels down over month, up over year
Labor force decreases occurred in 14 Michigan labor market areas over the month, with a median reduction of 0.5 percent. The most pronounced workforce decrease occurred in the Northwest Lower Michigan region (-1.3 percent). Minor labor force gains occurred in the Detroit metro region and the Upper Peninsula, and Lansing MSA’s workforce remained unchanged over the month.
Sixteen Michigan labor market areas exhibited labor force advances over the year, with a median increase of 2.3 percent.
Michigan total payroll jobs increased by 139,000 over the year, or 3.3 percent. All 14 metro areas displayed employment advances since August 2021, with a median increase of 1.7 percent.
County unemployment rates decrease over month and year
Seventy-seven Michigan counties demonstrated unemployment rate reductions between July and August. Jobless rates decreased in 78 counties since August 2021.
